Art and the Preschool Child...

Art and the Preschool Child

The saying “Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder” can be applied to Art and the Preschool Child. Children love expressing themselves through art. Many times parents and adults have difficulty accepting that a Preschooler’s artwork is beautiful because it may not meet their definition of art or beauty. Parents may become frustrated that their child is not “coloring within the lines” or “coloring properly”.

But, I would ask the questions: “What is coloring properly?” “What do the lines mean when it comes to the final product?” Each of us has a definition of what proper coloring is. Each of us has a perspective of what within the lines means. Does this mean that my definition of what is proper takes precedent over another individual’s, including a preschooler?

I say, “No!!” Children are beautiful individuals whose primary purpose is to explore the world around them, to discover their path in life, what works for them and what doesn’t. As individuals, preschoolers have the right to express themselves through art the way that works best for them. It may not be “within the lines”, but to the preschooler it is his/her artwork and he/she is always proud of it. We, as the adults in the preschooler’s life, need to (more…)

Winning the CANDY WARS...

Winning the Candy Wars

An article by Thomas Haller and Chick Moorman

Our children are being bombarded with candy from every direction. Chocolate bars, gum, suckers, and assorted gummy candies line the checkout lanes in grocery stores. School fundraisers sell candy bars, cookies, and brownies in the hallways during lunch hours. Every mall, skating rink, soccer complex, movie theater, and even the video store has a place to buy candy.

And then there are the holidays. Halloween trick-or-treat bags bulge with every kind of candy imaginable. Christmas stockings are topped with bubble gum and chocolate bars. Valentine messages are stamped on candy hearts, and boxes of candy are the staple of communicating love. Easter baskets overflow with jellybeans and chocolate bunnies.

Candy is everywhere, and its presence is wreaking havoc on our children’s teeth and waistlines. Children are visiting the dentist with serious tooth decay at younger and younger ages every year. Obesity in children is a national concern.

With candy universally available and regularly within sight of children, what is a parent to do? How do you combat its influence on your children? How do you lessen the influence of advertisers and get candy consumption under control in your family? How can you win the candy wars?

The following 6 suggestions can assist you in curbing your children’s candy consumption. Use them to increase the health and wellbeing of your family.

1. Begin by being a model for your children to follow.If you are a chocoholic and find yourself foraging through the cupboard for the last chocolate bar or eating an entire bag of M&Ms once it is opened, reflect on the message you are sending your children. It will be difficult for you to curb their candy consumption when they see (more…)

The Halloween Fairy...

“The Halloween Fairy”

October always brings great excitement and joy to children as they anticipate one of their favorite holidays – HALLOWEEN! For parents, Halloween also brings lots of joy and fun as they get caught up in their child’s anticipation of the Great Pumpkin and Trick or Treating. Deciding on a costume, decorating the house, visiting a Pumpkin Patch and planning parties are all part of Halloween enjoyment.

But, Halloween also brings the trepidation of dealing with all the sweets the children may receive when Trick or Treating or attending school carnivals/parties. Children truly take ownership of everything they collect while out Trick or Treating in their neighborhood or at school sponsored carnivals/parties. Yet, we, the adults, know that all those sweets are not healthy for children and the thought of even rationing the sweets for weeks is a daunting endeavor.

Here’s a way to allow children to partake in Halloween activities and enjoy some of their goodies yet not over do it – “THE HALLOWEEN FAIRY”.  The Halloween Fairy loves candy/sweets. However, it is hard for her to get it because she can only make toys and things. So, for her to get the candy she so loves, she offers children an exchange of a gift for their candy. After Trick or Treating, children pick a number of pieces of their most favorite candy, then they put the rest in a bag and leave it outside somewhere for the Halloween Fairy. The Halloween Fairy is so thankful for the children’s gift of candy, she leaves a gift for the children as a thank you.  Children can also write a note to the Halloween Fairy as to what they would like in exchange for the candy – a toy, crayons/colored pencils, a new shirt, etc.

The Halloween Fairy is a wonderful new tradition to (more…)